1984 300D, one owner, 57k miles, no rust, everything works, like new - or...
1996 E300 Diesel 160K, great shape, every option.

These two cars are priced very closely on CL DC. If you had $12-13k, which would you pick? I think I'd be all over the E300...

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1984 300Sd 210k

Former cars:
1984 300D 445k (!!) (Strider) Original (and not rebuilt) engine and transmission. Currently running on V80 ( 80% vegetable oil, 20% petroleum products). Actually not, taking a WVO break.
1993 300d 2.5 275k. Current 120/day commuter
1981 300SD 188k (Hans) Killed by a deer

i would get the 123

The choice is simple.....get both

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"spreading a trail of obnoxious where ever we go"
1981 300sd w/ 341,500 miles

http://www.wecrash.com/pics/ddda_banner.gif

yep with 13 grands i would get both!!!
the 84 even pristine is not worth more than 6000 bucks. if you negociate hard you should be able to bring it down to 4000.
the 96 is probably 9000 bucks so together that make 13000 grands!!!

i would get the 123 though, but that because i am biased. with the money saved compared to the E300, you can buy gas and all the maintenance for the next 15 years!

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Aquilae non capunt muscas! (Eagles don't hunt flies!)


1979 300SD Black/Black MBtex239000mi
1983 300TD euro-NA. White/Olive Cloth-MBtex 201000mi. Fleet car of the USA embassy in Morocco
1983 240D Labrador Blue/Blue MBtex 161000mi

i'd go for the latter...
the w124

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~there is no spoon~

1984 300CD Turbo Diesel (soon to be "powered by VEGGIE") - dolphin silver

1999 e430 Sport blk/blk, my sexy ***** ;-)

(my other girls)
1992 300CE 24V 3.0L (w124) (R.I.P. "she was killed 7/12/03 by some ricer kids speeding in a honda accord")
1990 Acura Integra RS (w/94' engine)
1966 Cadillac Sedan de Ville (Hardtop)

i am partial to the 123 cars but would need some serious convincing on the 57k miles.

it would have to be pretty much as new to be worth that. #1 condition.

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

I'd get the '96 E300 if I had the money, since it's a lot newer, and doesn't have all the 22 year old parts that are going to want to fail due to age. Plus the E300 is going to be a much more comfortable with highway driving, as well as City driving.

I did go for a '96 E300, 210.020. Very nice car. Mine just cut out on me while driving, but I think it's the K40 relay module. The joys of electronics.

The 210 drives far better than the 123 could ever hope. More power too, even without a turbocharger, and noticably better fuel milage.

Edited to add: If they're the same price, the 123 is grossly overpriced or the 210 is underpriced. I guess the former. People think they can get a ton of money for the 123. That's great until you get hit and the insurance company just won't believe you.

I'd be all over the E300 too!!!

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Michael LaFleur

'05 E320 CDI - 86,000 miles
'86 300SDL - 360,000 miles
'85 300SD - 150,000 miles (sold)
'89 190D - 120,000 miles (sold)
'85 300SD - 317,000 miles (sold)
'98 ML320 - 270,000 miles (sold)
'75 300D - 170,000 miles (sold)
'83 Harley Davidson FLTC (Broken again) :-(
'61 Plymouth Valiant - 60k mikes
2004 Papillon (Oliver)
2005 Tzitzu (Griffon)
2009 Welsh Corgi (Buba)

The 1996

Well, I'd probably take the E300, since you already have a 300D.

The decision of which vehicle to purchase is a personal decision. Either you prefer one style or the other.

However, if you spend $12K on a W123, you pretty much need to keep it a garage queen. It's priced that way because of it's condition and mileage. Rack up some miles on it and the value will drop like a stone. Furthermore, it's difficult to maintain a vehicle in pristine condition as a daily driver.

If you want a W123 as a daily driver, find one with 125K on the clock in excellent condition and pay about $6K for it. Pocket the difference and enjoy the vehicle for almost the same amount of miles.

Depends what you want. Driven both the W210 is simply a quiter, faster, more comfortable car. Pretty much what you would expect from a more modern design.

The E300D would be a great driver. The 300D is a garage queen/weekend toy.

What are you looking for?

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200